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In Conversation with Ian Buxton
A Life in Whisky, A Connection to Islay
From a lifelong curiosity for Scotch whisky to a deep appreciation of Islay’s rich heritage, renowned whisky writer Ian Buxton has spent nearly four decades exploring the craft, character and stories that make Scotland’s whisky world so distinctive.
An Unexpected Journey into Whisky
How did you get into Scotch?
By accident! Working in England in brewing I wanted to return to Scotland and the only drinks industry job I could find was in whisky – nearly 40 years ago, and here we are.
Why do you love whisky, beyond the taste?
The romance, the stories and the people. And the fact that much of it is made in very precious, special places, like Islay.
What is one of your favourite memories drinking whisky?
True story: I may once, many years ago, have enjoyed a furtive and clandestine dram from the ‘orphan’ casks in Bowmore’s No1 Warehouse, with a stormy sea beating against the wall. Not that that could happen today – that whisky is far too valuable.
When and where do you most enjoy a dram?
At home, quietly. Or possibly on a Hebridean beach at sunset (assuming it’s not raining).
What Makes Bowmore Different?
How do you most enjoy drinking Scotch?
Well, now we enter the vexed ‘water and ice’ debate. So, it depends – with an older whisky, probably neat or with the slow and judicious addition of water, a few drops at a time. Add too much, too quickly and more whisky will be needed which can get expensive! For a cocktail, using a quality blend, then ice will frequently be called for and that’s fine. Everything in its place.
How would you describe Bowmore 12-Year-Old Sherry Oak Cask to a friend?
“You’ll probably like this.” Then say no more, for it’s up to each drinker to find their own path to their own special place of peace and contentment. If they insist on an opinion, then I’d point to the complexity, richness of flavour, balance and subtlety.
What are your thoughts on the sherry cask influence on Bowmore spirit?
It seems to me to soften and round it – to complete it, you might say. They’re the best of friends and complementary partners, with no one element overly dominant.
Islay: A Place Like No Other
How would you describe Bowmore to someone beginning their whisky journey?
An excellent place to start. In fact, I’d suggest it’s the ideal place to start learning about Islay whiskies because it lies in the middle of the island’s taste profile, making it a very well-mannered dram that’s full of character without being unduly assertive, arguably even unbalanced.
You can work outwards from Bowmore with a fuller appreciation of what peated whiskies are about and an understanding of their full potential.
You recently went to Islay – home to Bowmore distillery – as part of your ‘Whiskies Galore’ book tour. How would you describe your perfect day on the whisky island?
Meeting the visitor centre team to be greeted with the world’s largest bacon roll was an incredible start! Following that, my wife and I (it’s not a perfect day if she’s not there), visited the Kildalton Cross and the MacDonald graves at Nerabus (spiritual places of quiet reflection); tracked down some of Sean O’Leary’s rumbustious, joyful pictures of Islay life in the 1970s; lunched like kings on the finest scallops any sea can provide; discussed Whiskies Galore at the marvellous Islay Book Festival and enjoyed generous dinner portions at the Bowmore Hotel. Some Bowmore may have been consumed.
What makes Bowmore distinctive among Islay whiskies?
Personally, Bowmore stands out for its finesse, subtlety and development in the glass over time (if you can make it last long enough!). It’s accessible without being simple; rewarding for the neophyte and connoisseur alike and possessed of tantalising and intriguing hints of the ocean.
What do you understand about Bowmore after visiting Islay that you simply can’t get from tasting the whisky elsewhere?
A sense of place, of tradition, of belonging and of a justifiably proud identity and heritage. Every whisky lover should visit at least once before they die - Bowmore simply tastes better once you’ve been there.
Bowmore 12-Year-Old Sherry Oak Cask
Discover the rich and balanced character of Bowmore 12-Year-Old Sherry Oak Cask. Bringing together Bowmore's distinctive Islay spirit and the influence of sherry casks, this single malt offers layers of complexity, depth and subtlety.
As Ian Buxton describes it, a whisky where every element finds its place, allowing each drinker to discover something uniquely their own.
Keep Exploring Bowmore Stories
Behind every whisky lies a story worth discovering. Explore the people, places and moments that shape the world of Bowmore.
